What is EN 13374?
EN 13374 is the European technical standard that defines the performance requirements for temporary edge protection systems, commonly used on construction sites to prevent falls from height.
The standard applies to temporary edge protection installed during:
construction work
maintenance work
work at height on buildings, structures and roofs
Scope of application
EN 13374 regulates guardrails installed on:
flat surfaces
sloping surfaces
free edges of floors, roofs and temporary structures.
The standard is not a law, but represents the main European technical reference for the design, selection and verification of temporary guardrails.
Protection classes provided for by EN 13374
The standard identifies three performance classes, defined according to the level of risk and conditions of use:
Class A
Suitable for substantially flat surfaces, i.e. up to 10°. Guarantees protection against falls from height and resistance to static loads.
Class B
Suitable for inclined surfaces between 10° and 30°. Requires resistance to both static and dynamic loads, simulating the slipping or impact of an operator.
Class C
Intended for steeply inclined surfaces, above 30°. Requires high energy absorption capacity and more stringent dynamic testing.
The choice of class must be based on an assessment of the risks and operating conditions of the construction site.
Basic dimensional requirements
EN 13374 establishes key requirements including:
minimum handrail height;
presence of intermediate rails;
systems to prevent the passage of the body;
toeboard for protection against falling objects.
These requirements help to ensure effective collective protection against falls from height.
Tests and verifications
Guardrails complying with EN 13374 must pass:
static tests to verify resistance to applied loads;
dynamic tests, where applicable, to simulate the impact of a person falling or slipping.
The results of the tests must be documented by the manufacturer.